Pastor Gerry reports from Samar:

The team arrived safely in Borongan.  The Calvary Chapel in Borongan was destroyed, as well as the members' homes.  The team is focusing on clearing roads to allow passage to the southeast to get to Hernani.  Hernani is a small town where there is another Calvary Chapel U-Turn for Christ church.  This is the first reliable report from Hernani: the church and all the members' homes have been destroyed - either flattened or washed out to sea.  Two church members perished in the storm.  In the whole community there are only 10 homes still standing.

A small team of Filipino locals from CCTC Dumageute will go in to support the team in Borongan on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Pastor Gerry is requesting a list of supplies from Dumageute or Cebu.  Obtaining and transporting these supplies will be a challenge, so please bathe this list in prayer:  fuel, fuel containers, heavy duty hand tools, generators, powerbars and ready-to-eat snacks, rain gear and work gloves, water purifiers and prayer - lots of prayer.

On Monday, Nov 18th, a shipment from local donations will go out from Dumageute and Cebu.  This shipment will include 20 sacks of rice, canned goods, bottled water, candles, soap, clothing and bedding.  The Cokaliong Shipping company is continuing to ship these relief supplies for free (many thanks to Cokaliong - and praise be to God!).

Another pressing need is vehicles.  Vehicles are available for loan from Cebu, but getting them to Samar is a challenge.  Infrastructure damage and lack of security are currently preventing them from moving, but there is hope they can move soon with military support - so pray that a good contact with the Philippine or US military will be established soon.